Are spray sunscreens really safe?

Past readers of my blog know how I feel about chemical sunscreens, especially the very high SPF's and the continuous spray product that has been so popular over the last few years.

For this of you reading for the first time, I'll make it simple.  I think these products are some of the worst to ever be foiled upon the American (and worldwide) public and in my opinion, are dangerous, ineffective and causing more problems than they solve.

Now, a tragic event in Massachusetts recently is proof positive of what I have been preaching.  A man was using a continuous spray sunscreen  while attempting to enjoy a cookout.  Cognizant of the warning on the sunscreen bottle that contents were flammable, he stepped away from the grill to apply his SPF spray.   When he stepped back to the grill apparently the "vapor trail" ignited the sunscreen and he was severely burned over his chest, arms and back, basically wherever he had applied the sunscreen.  Dan Dillard of the Burn Prevention Network explained it this way, “As he approached the flame, the charcoal simply caught the vapor trail and it follows the vapor trail to where the substance is, which is on the body.”

Fortunately these incidents are rare, but these products are very drying for the skin… obviously.  And, one of the secrets to getting a good, even tan is to keep the skin hydrated.

As for the very high sunscreens?  Do we really need SPF 70? SPF 100?  Absolutely not and the big problem is to get such a high validation in the lab to be able to make the claim, mass amounts of chemicals are used.  Here's a rundown of three of the most predominate sunscreens:

Octyl Metoxycinnamate - an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormonal imbalance and increased rates of cancer

Oxybenzone - a chemical that may cause hormonal imbalance.  In Europe products that contain more than 0.5% of this chemical have to carry warning labels

Avobenzone - a free radical generator that absorbs UV radiation energy and since it cannot destroy it, converts the light energy to chemical energy which is typically released as free radicals in the body.

The traditional chemical sunscreen manufacturers have convinced the buying public through extensive and slick marketing that we need mass amounts of these chemicals and the buying public is assuming they are safe for use.  Evidence is growing that is not the case.

But, why take the chance.  Absolutely Natural offers a safe, natural alternative with our reflective mineral sunscreens.

Best regards
Charley